Monday, June 18, 2012

Who Are You Leading First?

Where you choose to focus when you're going through change will greatly determine your outcome.

People fail at lots of things because of broken focus. In the case of journeying through change, we often focus most on the change. It begs our time and we all too often give it all we've got in mental, spiritual, emotional and even financial energy.

When you get on a plane and prepare to take off, the flight attendant always gives a spiel about what to do in case of an emergency. Among the things covered is what to do if the cabin loses pressure. They remind you that oxygen masks will fall, and in the event that you are holding an infant or child they ask you to make sure you put your mask on before assisting with theirs. Most people will drawn to help their child first, however this may prove a dreadful choice.

If you are involved in ministry or any type of public service, you are probably real good at running around and putting other people's masks on before doing anything for yourself. I understand. We have to change that if we want to thrive. This isn't selfishness. As you practice self-care through a change, you will be prepared to give others your best.

Dee Hock, an expert on leadership says that we should spend 50% of our time leading ourselves. Often the last thing we do when faced with a big change is lead ourselves. We stop leading ourselves in order to have meltdowns about the change, or to try to come to grips with the change. This is the exact opposite of what we should do if we care about a healthy outcome.

Have you "lost yourself" through a change? It's time to come to grips with exactly where you stand with self-leadership. Bill Hybels says, "The best gift you can give the people
you lead is a healthy, energized, fully surrendered, focused self. And, no one
else can do that for you."